NEW YORK: Facebook is rolling out a new feature for suicide prevention that allows users to report suicidal posts on the social networking site and also contact a helpline or another friend for guidance.

Facebook has announced updated tools that provide more resources, advice and support to people who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and their concerned friends and family members.

The new effort is part of a collaboration between Facebook and researchers at Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention, an interdisciplinary organisation based in the University of Washington's School of Social Work.

When someone sees a post that suggests its author might be considering suicide, they can click on a dropdown menu and report the post to Facebook.

The person who flags the post also has the option to message the potentially suicidal person, contact another Facebook friend for support or connect with a trained professional at a suicide helpline for guidance.

Facebook will then review the reported post.

"We have teams working around the world, 24/7, who review any report that comes in. They prioritise the most serious reports, like self-injury, and send help and resources to those in distress," Rob Boyle, Facebook Product Manager, and Nicole Staubli, Facebook Community Operations Safety Specialist wrote in a Facebook post.

Also Read:

Sensor-Packed Smartphones To Secure Your Device

Dubai Firm Unveils Electric Car Charging Stations